On Our Minds

In this episode, Matt and Faiza talk about the realities and struggles of middle school, with voices from current middle school students. You'll also hear from celebrities on what middle school was like for them, what they would tell their younger selves about what they wish they would have known, and advice to students today. Student voices include Tre'Sean, Navaeh, Candace, Kabya, Vikiyah, Daryu...

Special Mental Health Correspondent Deesha Panchal interviews Dr. Hina Talib, a board-certified pediatrician and adolescent medicine specialist, writer, and teen media creative based in New York City. Dr. Talib gives young people advice on having a healthier relationship with news media consumption. She also advises that while media can "make us feel anxious," it can also teach us new things, so f...

Matt and Faiza explore stories of teen social life, from the dangers of comparing yourself to others, to what it's like seeing your generation depicted on TV shows like Euphoria. Student voices include Temperance and Ethan from Caesar Rodney High School in Camden, Delaware, Zion from the F.V. Pankow Center in Clinton Township, Michigan, Tatiana from John F. Kennedy High School in Silver Spring, Ma...

Special Mental Health Correspondent Deesha Panchal interviews Dr. Daniel Siegel, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the UCLA School of Medicine. Dr. Siegel explains that teens are not "raging" with hormones, as many people think. Instead, what's really going on? The teenage brain is being remodeled. This episode was produced by Student Reporting Labs Youth Media Producer Briget Ganske, with help...

Speaking up can be hard. Matt and Faiza talk to guests about what mental health is and how to open up about our emotions and experiences. Check out Well Being's Mental Health Language Guide for more resources. Student voices include Vincent from Holbrook Middle-High School in Holbrook, MA; Damya from Lincoln Charter High School, in Lincolnton, NC; Ashley from Haldane High School in Cold Spring, NY...

On Our Minds — a podcast made by teens, for teens, all about teens — and mental health is back for another season! Season 2 is hosted by high school students Matt Suescun and Faiza Ashar, and features personal stories from students all around the country and conversations with experts and influencers about mental health issues like anxiety, depression, eating disorders, grief, identity and more. S...

Season one hosts Noah and Zion recap presenting at SXSW EDU in Austin, Texas and then welcome Matt and Faiza, hosts for season two. Season two of On Our Minds drops in May 2022 — stay tuned! This episode was produced by Zion Williams and Noah Konevitch and edited by Student Reporting Labs Youth Media producer Briget Ganske with production assistance from Jaylah Moore-Ross. Follow us on social medi...

In a special bonus episode of "On Our Minds," hosts Noah and Zion talk to psychologist, author and well-known meditation teacher Tara Brach. Brach also leads them and listeners through a guided meditation to help recognize, center and acknowledge emotions. This episode was produced by Student Reporting Labs Youth Media Producer Briget Ganske.    Follow us on social media:  Facebook: https://www.fa...

In this season's final full episode of "On Our Minds," Noah and Zion talk about the positives and negatives of social media, and share stories from teens grappling with the effects of information overload on their mental health. Special guest Jeffrey Donald, who coordinates mindfulness practices for Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland, explains the benefits of activities such as yoga and...

Depression can be connected to many situations including chronic physical conditions, seasonal change, and the mental health of those around us. In this episode, Noah and Zion share stories from young people dealing with chronic conditions such as POTS and depression, and give tips on how to combat feelings of isolation. Throughout the episode, Noah talks with clinical therapist Cheryl Aguliar abo...

The phrase "we are all in this together," was used at the beginning of the pandemic to help unite people. In this episode, Noah and Zion share personal stories from young people who explore whether that phrase feels true or not, and discuss how they have been impacted by social and racial inequities. Later in the episode, Zion talks with clinical psychologist Dr. Ryan DeLapp about the connection b...

School was a source of anxiety for many students during the pandemic. Noah and Zion discuss the highs and lows of virtual learning and share a wide range of stories from students across the country about how changes in learning impacted their mental health. This episode includes a conversation with mental health counselor Edith Porter about the youth mental health crisis and tips on how to cope wi...

On Our Minds hosts Noah and Zion explore the stigma around mental health and share personal stories about social anxiety and combating panic attacks from teens in Michigan and Texas. This episode includes actress Asia Jackson describing how she copes with anxiety and depression and features tips from adolescent health physician Dr. Hina Talib on how to stay proactive when it comes to your mental h...

On Our Minds — a podcast made by teens, for teens, all about teens — and mental health. Hosted by high school students Noah Konevitch and Zion Williams, On Our Minds features personal stories from students all around the country and conversations with experts about mental health issues like anxiety, depression, isolation and more.